Bending and beveling machine



Aug. 29, 1944. R. SEIFRIED BENDING AND BEVELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

BY i 1..

A 7 TOR NE Y 1944. R. SEIFRIED 2,357,027

BENDING AND BEVELING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

ATTORNEY Aug. 29, 1944. R. SEIFRIED 1 BENDING AND BEVELING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 26, 1942 FIRES-SUEZ m Wm ,4 TTORNF Y Patented Aug. 29, 1944 BENDING AND BEVELING MACHINE Richard Seifried, Inglewood, CaliL, assignor to North American Aviation, Inc., Inglewood, Calil'., a corporation of Delaware Application October 26, 1942, Serial No. 463,327

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a bending and beveling machine of the general character shown in my pendingapplication Serial No. 437,947, filed April '7, 1942.

The principal object of the present invention is "to provide means for automatically maintaining a constant tension on material during the bending and beveling operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically maintaining constant tension at opposite ends of the strip or other material even though the shape in which it is being bent is asymmetrical.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a machine that will eliminate the necessity of providing different tracks for bending different shapes.

Another object is to provide means in such a machine that will minimize tearing eifect upon and nicking of the material.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and ar-.

rangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawingsmerely show and. the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. la is a'similar view of a suggested pressure fluid pump and its motor.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, broken plan view looking in the direction of arrows 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a pressure system used in thepresent embodiment. Referring more in detail to the drawings, the

reference numeral 8 generally designates frame work for the present machine. A platform 3 is mounted upon the frame 8 and is in turn employed to support a .die block or mandrel Ill. The die block Ill may have a groove l2 therein and the die face l3 thereof may be vertical, or inclined if the material is to be beveled, as shown in my said co-pending application.

A flange I4 on the material to be formed fits in the groove I2 while the body l5 of the material conforms with the face l3 of the die block. Adlusting screws l6, mounted in a bracket I1 on the frame, adjustably support the die block It) at the rear thereof. Interlocking, sliding members' I8, or other suitable means, may be employed for supporting the die block In upon the platform 9. The frame 8 includes curved channel members l9, the channels of which face outwardly and preferably provide journals for sheaves 20. Other sheaves 2| are supported at opposite sides of a beam 22 extending rearwardly on the frame of the machine, by means of a cross support 23.

Idlers 24 are arranged at the rear of the frame-work of the machine. Pulleys 25 are provided at the foot, at the front center of the machine. Pulleys 26 are disposed at the bottom front corners of the frame 8, while pulleys 21 are provided at the sides of the front of the machine.

Supporting arms 28 and 29 are pivoted on the frame of the machine at 30 and 3| respectively. Cylinders 32 and 33 are pivotally mounted upon the arms 28 and 29 respectively. It is believed clear without further illustration that piston rods 34 and 35 respectively carry pistons within the cylinders 32 and 33. Means 36 are indicated for pivotally mounting the cylinders upon the pivoted arms 28 and 29. The pivots for the cylinders 32 and 33 are shown at 31 and 38 respectively.

Vise-like members 39 provided with set screws 40 are arranged to grip ends of the material i5. Heads 4| on the piston rods 34 and 35 have lateral slid-able connections with the viselike members 39. Additional pivotal journals 43 are provided for the pivots 30 and 3| of thearms 28 and 29.

Conduits 44 and 45 connect with opposite ends of the cylinder 32, while conduits 46 and 4'1 connect with opposite ends of cylinder 33. The conduits 44 and 45 are joined in a double conduit 48 while the conduits 46 and 4'! are joined in a double conduit 49.

Referring especially to Fig. 7, a four-way valve 50 of any suitable and well known construction, may be employed to control the pressure fluid from a branch of the pressure line 52 to one end or the other of cylinder 82. A handle 58 is arranged to control the valve 58. A second four-way valve 54 is arranged to connect another branch 55 of the pressure line 52 with one end or the other of the cylinder 88. A handle 85 controls the valve 54. -The ends of the cylinders that are not connected with the pressure line 52 are connected with a return pipe 58 which in turn connects with a conduit 51 that leads back to the intake side of a pump 58. The pressure line 52 is connected with the pressure side of the pump 58. Excess fluid from the return pipe 51 discharges into a reservoir 88, from which it may be drawn by the pump, as desired. A motor 8| actuates the pump. In practice, the reservoir 88, pump 58 and motor 8|, may be suitably mounted as a unit such as shown in Fig. 1a, on any convenient supporting surface adjacent to the rear portion of the machine, and, for example, in approximately the relation thereto existing between Figs. 1 and la, although this relation may be varied within a considerable range in use, depending upon available space.

An automatic relief valve 82 is connected between the pressure line 52 and the exhaust line 51 by means of pipes 88 and 84 respectively. Thus excess pressure in the line 52 by-passes back into line 51, when the pressure in the line 52 reaches a predetermined point. A plate 88 provides a cover for the valves 58 and 54, at the front of the machine.

A still further relief means is provided by a conduit 81 which leads from the exhaust line 58 to a manual relief valve 58, which is controlled by handle 88a, also arranged behind the plate 88. The manual relief valve 88 is in turn connected with the automatic relief valve 82 by a line 88. Pressure in line 88 may exhaust through the automatic relief valve 82 to the return pipe 51 by means ofa conduit I8.

On the under side of each of the pivoted arms 28 and 28 is anchor means for the cables controlling that particular arm. For example, a bracket II supports anchor screws I2 and I8. A head member I4 is also supported on the under side of the pivoted arm by bracket means 15. End of cable I8 is fastened to the screw I2 and thereby anchored in place. End of cable II is fastened to the screw I8 and thereby anchored in place. The cables I8 and 11 pass each other in ,a groove I8 in the block I4, extending in opposite directions.

The cable I8 passes around the roller 21, then extends downward about the roller 28 and across the bottom at the front of the machine, around the roller 25 and then rearwardly to a sheave I8 and up around a drum 88 included in a winch 8|.

The cable 'II extends around the roller 2 I, around the idler 24 and on to the drum 88. The cables 18 and I1 are wound upon the drum 88 in opposite directions, as perhaps best shown in Fig. 3. The cables I8 and Il may be wound at opposite ends of the drum 88 or in any other desired arrangement that will not interfere with their individual winding or unwinding.

Similar anchor screws 82 are supported under the pivoted arm 28 by bracket means 83, in the same manner as shown in Fig. 4 and described in connection therewith. Cables 84 and 85 are thus anchored under the pivoted arm 28. The cable 84 extends around pulleys 21, 28 and 25, and back around sheave 88., The cable 84 then winds upon a drum 8! also included in the winch 8|.

The cable passes around the sheave 2| and the idler 24 and is also wound upon the drum 81. The winch 8| is driven by a reversible motor 88 through the intermediary of driving belt means 88 and reduction gear 88 of conventional and suitable form.

An automatic switch means is provided in an upstanding frame 8| at the rear of the machine. A wire 82 is passed around pulleys 88 and 84 depending within the frame 8|. Blocks 85 and 88 at opposite portions of the wire 82 are respectively arranged to trip levers 81 and 88 of electric switches 88 and I88. The block 85 rides up and down on the rod I8I, while the block 88 rides up and down on the rod I82. The opposite end: of the wire 82 are respectively wound arbund reduced portions I88 and I84 of the drums 81 and 88 respectively. The position of the block 88 in Fig. 6, in its upward motion, is just prior-to tripping the lever 88. The arms 28 and 28 would be almost at their point of greatest movement toward the beam 22 in this position of the block 88. When the block 88 trips the lever 88, the motor 88 is cut oif. Suitable switch means I85 is arranged at the front of the machine for manually closing the circuit of motor 88 to operate the motor in a reverse direction, whereby to swing the arms 28 and 28 away from the beam 22 and toward the front of the machine. When the arms 28 and 28 reach their predetermined forward limits, the block 85 trips the lever 81 and breaks the circuit of the motor 88. A switch button I88- may be arranged to break the circuit manually. A manual switch button I8'I also at the front of the machine is connected to close the circuit of the motor 88 to operate same in the opposite direction from the operation actuated by the switch button I85. Manual button I88 is connected to break the circuit of the motor 88 when the arms 28 and 28 have swung to the desired point in a direction toward the beam 22.

It is to be understood that the automatic cutoif switches 88 and I88 or the manual cut-oi! switches I88 and l88 may be used alternatively.

In the operation of the machine, the die block I8 is positioned upon the platform 8. Material I5 to be bent is placed against the die block with the flange I4 of the material disposed in the groove I2 of the die block.

Ends of the material I5 are gripped in the vises 88 by means of the set screws 48. The vises 88 are then inserted into their slidable connection with the head members 4|.

It is believed clear without illustration that a pressure gauge may be utilized in the line 82 in order to indicate the amount of pressure to which the pistons in cylinders 82 and 88 are subiected. The relief valve 82, which is of conventional construction, is set to permit the return of pressure fluid to the reservoir 88 and to the intake of the pump 58, if the pressure in the line 52 rises above a predetermined point. It is preferred to have the pump provide constantly a greater pressure than said predetermined amount and to by-pass the excess back to the intake of the pump, in order to provide the desired pressur upon the pistons at all times, during movement of the arms 28 and 28. It is also to be understood that either hydraulic or pneumatic pressure may be used, although hydraulic pressure is preferred because of the non-compressibility of the liquid.

The handles 58 and 85 are turned to positions to permit the pressure from the pressure line 82 to flow through the conduits 45 and 48, thus exerting the desired tension upon the material IS. The switch I! is thereupon actuated to close the circuit of motor 88 and thereby eflect rearward swinging movements of the arms 28 and 28 and their therewith pivotally supported cylinders 32 and 33. The motor GI and pump 58 are, of course, continually'operating during the bending operation.

The tension of the ends of the material I is maintained constant, irrespective of the shape of th die block l8 and irrespective oi whether the two halves of the die block III are symmetrical. The pressure system shown and described causes pressure to be balanced at opposite sides of the pistons in the cylinders 32 and 33, for if the pressure increases on the side of the piston between the piston and the material i5, then such pressure is relieved through the relief valve 82. If the pressure between the piston and the material l5 decreases below the set amount, the pump automatically builds up pressure to, the desired amount, thus automatically maintaining the pressure constant against the pistons in the two cylinders, throughout the shaping of the material l5.

Due to the pivotal supports for the cylinders 32 and 33, the cylinders may swing laterally to compensate for abrupt or gradual change of shape of the die block. This pivotal means affords a straight pull upon th material, within the limits of the machine.

When the machine has reached the predetermined point of maximum travel, the switch I08 automatically breaks the circuit of the motor 88. At this point it is desirable to relieve the pressure on the material. This may be done manually by operation of the valve 68. The material i5 may then be released by unscrewing the set screws l8.- The arms 28 and 29 with their supported cylinders are swung to the front of the machine by pressing the button I05, which manually closes the circuit of the motor 88, to operate the motor in the opposite direction. When the arms 28 and 29 have reached the desired forward position, the switch 99 automatically breaks the circuit by means of the block 85. The machine is then ready for the next cycle of operation.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to avail myself of all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for forming material, a frame, a mandrel platform supported horizontally on said frame, a forming mandrel adjustable forwardly and rearwardly on said platform, .means for adjustably limiting rearward movement of the mandrel, pivoted arms supported and guided by the frame and swinging relative to the mandrel, material connecting means mounted on said arms, mechanism connected with the materialconnecting means to draw such means away from each other during swinging movement of the arms, thereby applying tension upon the material, cable and pulley means connected to opposite sides of the arms to swing the arms in opposite directions including a winch, and means actuated by said winch for stopp operation thereof when the arms reach the end of each swinging movement thereof.-

2. In a machin for forming material, a forming mandrel, pivoted arms swinging relative to the mandrel, material connecting means mounted on said arms, mechanism connected with the material-connecting means to draw such mean away from each other during swinging movement of the arms, thereby applying tension upon the material, cables fastened on the pivoted arms, a winch for winding up the cables, pulleys arranged to support the cables to move the pivoted arms toward each other by rotation of the winch in a.

given direction and to move the pivoted arms away from each other by rotation of the winch in the opposite direction, motor actuated means to rotate the winch in opposite directions, and winch operated means for cutting off the motor operated means at the end of each movement of the swinging arms.

3. In a machine for forming material, a supporting frame, a forming mandrel horizontally on said frame, arms having fixed pivots at their inner ends in the frame below opposite-sides of the mandrel for horizontal swinging relativ to the mandrel, material-connecting means to be connected with opposed portions of the material to be formed with respect to the mandrel, pressure cylinders mounted on the swinging arms for swinging movement therewith and having vertical pivotal connection with the arms for horizontal shifting movement with respect to the arms, pistons in the cylinders connected with the material-connecting means, mechanism connected to supply a substantially uniform pressure against the piston means within the cylinder means, to maintain a substantially constant pressure upon the material, and means to swing the arms around their pivots, to form the material with respect to the mandrel.

4. In a machine for forming material, a forming mandrel, arms having fixed pivots at their inner ends below opposite sides of th mandrel for swinging relative to the mandrel, materialconnecting means to be connected with opposed portions of the material to be formed with respect to the mandrel, pressure cylinders pivotally mounted on the swinging arms to swing therewith and shift relative thereto, pistons in the cylinders connected with the material-connecting means, a continuously operating pressure pump having a capacity greater than that required to provide the normal pressure for the cylinders, automatic by-pass means connecting to by-pass pressure in excess of said normal pressure back to the intake of the pump, conduits connected to supply th pressure to the cylinders, flexible means connected to, and extending from opposite sides of each of the arms to swing the arms around their pivots in opposite directions with respect to the mandrel and reversible means for actuating said flexible means and simultaneously operating th arms in either direction.

5. In a machine for forming material, a forming mandrel, pivoted arms swinging relative to the mandrel, a reversible motor connected to swing the arms about their pivots, automatic erating in a single cycle of operation. materialconnecting means to be connected with opposed portions 01' the material to be formed with respect to the mandrel, pressure cylinders mounted on the swinging arms, pistons in the cylinders connected with the material-connecting means, and mechanism connected to supply a substantially uniform pressure against the pistons within the cylinders.

6. In a machine for forming material, a form-- ing mandrel, pivoted arms swinging relative to a the mandrel, a reversible motor connected to swing the arms about their pivots, switch means connected to break the circuit of the motor, a longitudinally movable connecting means, spaced switch actuating means joined by said connecting means, mechanism connected to move said connecting means longitudinally during swinging movement of the arms, the spaced actuating means being arranged to actuate the switch means to automatically break the circuit of the motor when the arms have reached their opposite predetermined limits, material-connecting means to be connected with opposed portions of the material to be formed with respect to the mandrel, pressure cylinders mounted on the swinging arms, pistons in the cylinders connected with the material-connecting means, and mechanism connected to supply a substantially uniform. pressure against the pistons within the cylinders.

'7. In a machine for forming material, a to ing mandrel, pivoted arms swinging relative to the mandrel, motor-driven winch means connected to swing the arms about their pivots, switch means connected to break the circuit of the winch motor, a longitudinally movable connecting means, spaced switch actuating means joined by said connecting means, means connected to be operated by the winch to move the connecting means longitudinally, the spaced actuating means being arranged to actuate the switch means to automatically break the circuit of the motor when the arms have reached their opposite predetermined limits, material-connecting means to be connected with opposed portions of the material to be formed with respect to the mandrel, pressure cylinders mounted on the swinging arms, pistons in the cylinders connected with the material-connecting means, and mechanism connected to supply a substantially uniform pressure against the pistons within the cylinders.

RICHARD SEIFRIED. 

